A TINY airstrip yesterday smashed the record books after recording the highest temperatures in Wales.

A sizzling 34C (93F) was racked up at RAF Mona on Anglesey - making it the hottest day for years. Youngsters at a nearby school were sent home early, while others cancelled sports day, as temperatures rocketed.

Families and workers headed for the beach or the nearest strip of grass to make the most of the sunny snap. But more than 50 were helped to safety when the were cut off by the tide at Llandudno.

Two lifeguards got a round of applause when they swam out and rescued a teenager drifting out to sea on an airbed.

Roads melted, with sand and dust sprinkled to stop sticky tar spreading, and repair work was halted in the intense heat.

Gorse fires, blamed on the sunshine, kept fire fighters busy. Mona's 34C marked the highest ever temperature since the all time record was set at Flintshire's Hawarden Bridge in August 1990 - a sweltering 35.2C.

The previous July scorcher was 33.6C in Usk in 1976. Yesterday a Met Office spokesman said: "RAF Mona has broken the July record for Wales.

"This is also the hottest day we have had since the highest ever temperature recorded in 1990."

Meanwhile the all-time record British temperature for July was broken yesterday when thermometers hit 36.3C (97.3F) at Charlwood in Surrey. Forecasters at PA Weathercentre said the temperature was recorded just after 2.30pm at aweather station near Gatwick Airport.

The previous record of 36C (96.8F) was set at Epsom, Surrey, on July 22, 1911, while 35.9C (96.6F) was recorded at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on July 3, 1976.

Other hotspots included 33C (91.4F) at Crosby, near Liverpool, and Scottish ski resort Aviemore which reached 29.2C (84.6F).

In North Wales, afternoon temperatures were still nearly 29C as super-markets stocked up on extra water. On Anglesey, Bodedern Primary School shut its doors so youngsters could go home early.

Some parents chose not send their children because of the soaring temperatures. Mum Rhian Massey, who was on Llandudno beach enjoying the weather, said: "It's likely to be too hot to work in schools, so we have given the kids aday off."

On Tuesday a gritter spread sand to stop newly-laid Tarmac on the A495 near Bronington, Wrexham, melting in the sweltering heat.

Yesterday Wrexham council chiefs were keeping a close watch on the county artery and suspended all road works yesterday as the region baked in sunshine.

A Gwynedd council spokeswoman said: "There have been cases where events such as sports days have been cancelled.

"The council's gritters have been used to spread quarry dust along roads to prevent the seepage of tar."

Bathers heading for the sea to cool off in sweltering temperatures also kept lifeboat crews and Denbighshire's lifeguards busy.

Yesterday Llandudno inshore lifeboat and coastguards were scrambled after 50 people were in danger of being cut off at Llandudno beach.

Twenty of them were ferried or escorted back to safety as sea water threatened to cut them off after they ventured onto sandbanks.

They fought ablaze which has taken hold of 3,500 square metres of land at Carreg Fawr, Llanfairfechan, following a call shortly after 8.30pm

Firefighters from Bangor, Llanfairfechan, Conwy, Llanrwst and Pwllheli were yesterday at the scene dampening down hotspots.

Soon after, crews from Ruthin, Llangollen and Blaenau Ffestiniog were in action, battling a gorse fire at Coedwig Llangwyfan on the Clwydian Hills in Denbighshire.

It was the fifth time since Friday they have been called to the spot. Yesterday was made worse by high winds. Firefighters worked with Forestry Commission staff dampening down.

In a separate incident on Tuesday evening Mold firefighters were called to extinguish an oil tank on Station Road, Padeswood.

A North Wales Fire and Rescue service spokesman said: "The fire is thought to have started by aheat build-up due to the warm weather, which ignited the plastic coating of

the oil tank." The blaze, which spread to anearby outbuilding, also destroyed the tank. Police said a 14-year-old boy drowned in a canal in Glen Parva, Leicester, as he tried to keep cool.

British Waterways warned people who might be tempted to swim in rivers and lakes there were "hidden dangers". Jeff Whyatt of British Waterways said cold water, submerged objects and passing boats could all pose dangers to even the best swimmers.

RSPCA chiefs also issued fresh warnings to keep pets - especially dogs - cool and out of cars and sheds which can kill them.

Two dogs died earlier this month including a golden retriever in Bicester left in a garden without shade. RSPCA acting chief veterinary adviser David McDowell said: "It may shock people that adog could die while left in agarden, but in these temperatures their bodies just cannot cope.

"They need shade, they need water, and they need to be kept out of places which heat up quickly. "That includes open areas exposed to direct sunlight plus cars, conservatories, sheds. Pet owners must be vigilant in this weather, or their pets could die."

The incidents were among 700 calls received by the RSPCA since July 1reporting dogs left in cars, on balconies, in gardens, sheds and other areas without cover or water.